Curtis Blaydes vs. Junior Dos Santos to headline UFC Raleigh event on Jan. 25

A matchup between heavyweight contenders Curtis Blaydes and Junior Dos Santos will headline the UFC’s return to North Carolina after two years.

Blaydes (12-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) will meet Dos Santos (21-6 MMA, 15-5 UFC) in the five-round main event of the UFC’s recently announced Jan. 25 card at PNC Arena in Raleigh, which is expected to stream on ESPN+.

MMA Junkie verified verbal agreements are in place for the matchup with a person close to the situation following an initial report from ESPN.

Blaydes, No. 6 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie MMA heavyweight rankings, has just one lost in his past nine octagon appearances, which came against Francis Ngannou. He’s been calling for big-name fights in the division, and now he’ll finally get his chance when he faces a former UFC champion for the first time.

No. 4 Dos Santos was supposed to fight Alexander Volkov at this past weekend’s UFC on ESPN+ 21 event, but had to pull out due to a serious and graphic leg infection. The Brazilian also suffered his most recent loss against Ngannou, but will look to bounce back with a win against another top contender.